The European Commission has proposed to exempt from VAT, goods and services made available by EU bodies and agencies to Member States and citizens during times of crisis.

This initiative is intended to maximise the efficiency of EU funds used in the public interest to respond to crises, such as natural disasters and public health emergencies.

Once in place, the new measures will allow the Commission and other EU agencies and bodies to import and purchase goods and services VAT-free when those purchases are being distributed during an emergency response in the EU. The legislative proposal will now be submitted to the European Parliament for its opinion, and then to the Council for adoption.